Coming Home Again

Saiyuki AU

Ordinary World pt. 11

58/T

"Come on, it's not far now."

Hakkai glanced back over his shoulder at Gojyo and gave him a small, confident smile as they crossed the train tracks. It was funny how something so simple could bright up the man's face and make him look years younger. Not that he was old or anything. Hell, he hadn't even turned thirty yet, but it was the principle of the matter, ya know?

"Where the hell you taking me, 'Kai, Shanghai?" he grumbled, dodging yet another little Chinese grandma hell bent on running over his toes with her red metal shopping basket.

Hakkai just laughed and reached back with his right hand, twining their fingers together as he pulled the taller man forward. Gojyo was practically plastered against his lovers' side like this, not that he was complaining mind you, he just felt a bit like he was on display as they crossed Main Street and turned towards Kissena Blvd.

"You sure we won't get in trouble?" he asked nervously, he tugged on his steel grey hoody and snuck surreptitious glances at the people passing them; no one was watching.

Hakkai gave him another rare real laugh and squeezed his hand comfortingly. "No, no one will care. It's my classroom after all. I'm sorry that we had to come back here on a Saturday though, I can't believe I grabbed the wrong book!"

Gojyo shrugged and sucked in a deep breath, then immediately started coughing. His eyes watered as he realized the shops had just finished rinsing down for the night, the smell of day old seafood and stacked garbage for morning pickup making him queasy. Hakkai glanced back at him worriedly and then grimaced.

"It's better if you take short, shallow breaths through your mouth, Gojyo, at least until we pass by the main groceries. It's not far now."

For all the jumble of people Gojyo was sure he wouldn't have been able to find his way back to the 7 train without help. He remembered a Chinese restaurant (not useful) and a McDonalds (useful) but other than that, nada.

"Well, that wasn't too bad, was it?"

Looking up at the three story brick building Gojyo couldn't help but feel a bit deflated. "This is it?" he asked bemusedly, waving a hand airily at the building. It looked more like an apartment complex than an elite international school.

Hakkai chuckled and prodded him towards the main doors. "Yes, it is. Come now, I'm in the back on the second floor."

Shaking his head Gojyo did as instructed. Well, at least he'd get some awesome Chinese food out of this trip; the roast duck in those little mu shu pancake thingies looked spectacularly bad for you, which means they'd be awesome he was willing to bet. Hakkai paused in front of a rather plane looking white wooden door with its little observation window and took out his keys, their tinny clattering drawing his attention. With a sheepish grin Hakkai scratched the back of his head and ushered him inside.

"Well, welcome. At least now you know where I practically live during exam week."

Gojyo walked in slowly, taking in the hand drawn pictures and pushpin covered maps scattered across the back wall's full length bulletin board. Vocabulary lists in English, Chinese, and the English pronunciation were written in neat, fluid calligraphy; a ruby dragon hung under the American flag in a corner; poetry and replicas of ceramic and earthenware statues from the Shanghai Museum of Art were sitting neatly on the windowsills; the cubbies were organized chaos. The desks sat in perfect little rows and most were even clean, although it appeared that Tiffany loved Jared, but had recently broken up with him and moved on to Yue. He smiled at the little bit of graffiti as he reclined against the rebellious desk.

Gojyo crossed his legs and traced Hakkai as he moved with an unspoken grace through the small classroom towards the teacher's desk, smirking slightly over his shoulder.

"You know…" he began, a leer on his handsome face that was only partially ruined by the laughter sparkling in his eyes or the smile twitching at the corners of his lips.

Hakkai glanced up sharply, rapped the notebook with the forgotten tests in it smartly against the worn wooden surface and grimaced. "No, Gojyo. No." he added for emphasis.

The red head chuckled warmly, uncrossed his long legs and stretched, the ribbed material of his shirt ridding up to allow a tantalizing swatch of warm honeyed skin to peek out. Dropping into a comfortable slouch he crossed the room in three easy steps and lightly wrapped his arms around his lovers' chest, pressing up behind him he nuzzled the side of Hakkai's neck. He stood there for a moment just breathing in the clean smell of the man and softly sighed against the fluttering pulse beneath his lips.

"Thank you, for showing me this, for bringing me into your world." He whispered solemnly. They'd been together for three years, but this was the first time he'd ever gone to Hakkai's school. It was the last missing piece to his partner's life and he'd finally been allowed to see it.

Hakkai opened his mouth to comment and then thought better of it. Smiling softly he ran a hand through Gojyo's loose hair and pressed an awkward kiss to the top of his head. "You're welcome love." He murmured tenderly, fingers carding through silky strands.

"You ready to go home?"

Gojyo's heart did a funny little flutter at the way Hakkai said 'home,' pressing one last kiss to the pale column he smirked, "Nah, man, you owe me dinner. I'm not a cheap date you know. You gotta woo me before taking me home with you."

Hakkai laughed out loud as they left the school, Gojyo's arm flung over his shoulder. "I don't know…I'm pretty sure if I buy you a beer I'll be getting lucky tonight." He joked affectionately, leaning into the solid warmth beside him.

Gojyo hugged him closer.

The banter was as warm and comforting as the weight of the arm around his shoulders, or the thin silver band on his left hand.

Hakkai twined their fingers together and he heard the metal clank against a matching band. Now he could say he felt at ease. He smiled and squeezed.

~Fin.